Wednesday 30th June 2021...the closest I ever came!!!!

This is from my blog this time in 2009........

Monday, June 29, 2009

Monday 29th June 2009….home again

I am back with my “Family” on the bank in Nanaimo.  Heather and Kirby and the boys leave today for 8 days in their motor home and I wish them a safe and happy trip and the boys good luck in their soccer provincials in Nelson, B.C.

When I posted last I was staying in the Wal-Mart in Yakima and I had yet again another good sleep and although still stuffed up a little, felt pretty good.

My first game started at 1pm Friday afternoon and Ramona was parked at  right by the soccer fields.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had 5 games Friday with my last game finishing at 8.45pm.

I knew it was going to be a busy weekend and it sure turned out that way.  After the game it was back to Ramona a hot shower, supper and almost time for bed because my first game Saturday was at 7.30am, yes you read it right 7.30am!!!!!

I had 7 games Saturday with my last one again finishing at 8.45pm, THAT WAS A LONG DAY!!!!!!

Guess what time my first game was Sunday morning??

Yes ……7.30am AGAIN!!!!!!   Sunday it was 5 games and at 5pm Sunday afternoon I was all finished and started on the journey home.

I know that is a lot of games but I am very happy to brag that even though I was not feeling 100% I did all my games and did a decent job I think and it was hot too…in the 90’s.  So pretty proud that my body stood up to the physical pounding.

I have been coming here to this tournament for 8 years and I know all the local referees and they treat me very well and I really enjoyed myself.

This sunset photo was taken on the way home.

I want to thank Vanessa’s Mum who gave me these Rosary beads about 20 years ago promising me a safe journey always.

Also Karen and Heather who gave me these Angels, to keep me safe on the road. 

I have all of these Angels in Ramona and the next story is not melodramatic although it still seems so unbelievable.

About 20 miles from the Canadian border on Interstate 5 at 9pm and it is a lovely sunny evening and I am travelling on the inside lane with my cruise control set at 55 m.p.h. and all is well when the most incredible event occurred.  I have been driving 45 years and this is the very closest I have ever come to be involved in a serious accident.  

I was being passed by lots of cars and one car passed me and very stupidly after passing me the driver pulled into the lane in front of me and I can only imagine that the driver pulled in too sharp because the car immediately fishtailed and spun 360 degrees.  How on earth it did not flip I have no idea.  I immediately braked sharply sending everything flying forward in Ramona.  The car then in a could of braking smoke did another 360 turn and came at me sideward's.  I was able to slow and drove onto the shoulder and avoided the rear end by inches.  A quick look in my mirrors told me that the vehicles behind had seen what happened and they all stopped safely.

This next part made me so angry and I am still fuming.  The car that caused this almost incredible destruction came to rest about 40 feet behind me facing the wrong way on the opposite shoulder.  I saw in my mirror that the car turned around  so I start to move forward and the car, I know saw was driven by a young lady with three females in the passenger seats then flew past me again.  I could not believe it.  I leaned on the horn and the girls in the back seat turned round laughed and gave me the finger!!!!!!!!'  

They turned off about 500 yards later at the next exit.  They have no idea how close they came to serious injury and the cause of a multi vehicle pile up.

I was quite amazed at my calmness, I just braked like mad but controlled Ramona and she performed like the lady she is.  

I do not know who to thank but I do believe that there was some “Angel” riding along with me because this is the very closest I have ever come to disaster.

My Nexus card proved invaluable again at the Border CrossingAll the cars on the left were lined up over a mile back and my Nexus Lane to the right, empty…I was through without any problems.

My incredible run of the luck at the BC Ferry Terminals continues.  I knew I was pushing it to make the 10.45pm ferry but I arrived at the Terminal at 10.25pm and did not even turn the engine off drove straight onto the ferry.

So ends my latest journey and take away the near miss, it was a great week……blessings to all

Stay safe and healthy!!

Yashi Kochi!!!

Tuesday 29th June 2021..ok rain!!!!

Ok enough!!!!

Another morning of tennis cancelled because of the rain overnight!!

It actually was a pretty nice sunny day until it started raining around 7 pm this evening.

Look at the temps on Vancouver Island!!!

I knew I would be watching two games of soccer again so I put on my hiking shoes and off I went.

I wanted to see if my favourite waterfall hike would be flowing yet so I walked to the base of the canyon and could tell right away there was not enough running water here...

This needs to be flowing...

So the waterfalls would not be flowing just yet!

See the cross?

See it now??

That is the high point of the hike.

Love the clouds on the hills and I did not realize there were birds on the wire till I downloaded this...

I then watched England in a thrilling victory over Germany..

Another exciting game also between Sweden and the Ukraine!!

I then took Frida on a nice long walk before I went up to the mall to meet Vane, she is my youngest student...it is always a pleasure spending time with her she is so smart and always wanting to learn and she thanks me so much after every session.

So even though I am doing extra TV watching still managing to keep the steps going...

Stay safe and healthy!!

Yashi Kochi!!

Monday 28th June 2021....a mini drive!!

Still the same iffy weather with intermittent showers.......today Lilly came to clean the casita

so I always make sure everything is tidy and I leave the house.

Decided to pack a little lunch and go for a short hike and drive into the country...

Some nice scenery and I enjoyed the three hours I was gone....

Back  home it was some Tv watching starting with the first day from Wimbledon....

Then one the most exciting soccer games I have ever seen..

I then picked up Frida for her afternoon walk and now I am watching the first game of the Stanley Cup hockey play offs....

So another nice day!!

Stay safe and healthy!!

Yashi Kochi!!

Sunday 27th June 2021...easy day!!

You can see by the clouds in the photos that we have overcast skies and rain on and off all day BUT I did get chance to play tennis and was invited out to a private development where they have this great court...

Got wet on the way home......

I watched two great soccer games today and Wimbledon starts tomorrow so expect to read lots of watching TV the next two weeks🎾🎾🎾🥵

They are still having a heat wave on Vancouver Island.......

ok time for the Manifest on Netflix, a good show!!

Stay safe and healthy!!

Yashi Kochi!!!

Saturday 26th June 2021...OK rain enough!!

Sadly I was right with my prediction of last night’s rain making the courts unplayable this morning.......because I knew I was going to watch two live soccer games from Europe today I needed to get some exercise....so I went off for a walk around centro this morning before the crowds came out!

Love this door knocker..

There are so many beautiful churches in centro but for some reason this is one of my favourites....

Great view of the two main churches..

Nice to see the start of a gathering..

On one of the blocked off streets in centro they were advertising travel to Italy..

I remember going here with Janet and Malc a few years ago!!!

The iconic main square...

Gotta go..soccer calls!!!!

Stay safe and healthy!!

Yashi Kochi!!

Friday 25th June 2021...rains!!!

Sorry will not be a very exciting read tonight…...

 

For a change l went and played two hours of pickle ball this morning…i enjoy this game and the people but still prefer tennis but it was a good change.

 

Had to go get some groceries but went in the car because it rained quite heavy…...

 

It did clear up about 4 pm when l went and picked up Frida but it was rasining when l brought her home.

 

I was supposed to meet my young student Vane this evening but we cancelled because of the heavy rain……….l also assume my tennis in the morning will be cancelled!!

 

Gooing to binge on my shows tonight with some tea and carrot cake!!

 

Stay safe and healthy!!

 

Yashi Kochi!!

Thursday 24 th June 2021...rain stops play!!

So last night’s rain did in fact make the tennis courts too wet to play this morning😩😩😩😩🎾

I really did not too much the rest of the day....I did take Frida out for a long walk, always enjoy doing that!

I bet you thought to yourself so I wonder what tennis or soccer game is the kid going to watch...Nada...None..Zero...

BUT

I am now watching a great live hockey playoff game from Montreal!!

I do like this..

,

This is taken from the Internet to remind you of the full moon tonight!!!

Stay safe and healthy!!

Yashi Kochi!!

Wednesday 23 rd June 2021.... just a day!!

happy 29 th Birthday to Ben, who is Heather and Kirby’s oldest son!!!  Hope the day was a special one...

I took Blaze

To have her first oil and filter change....it is just about a year ago since I bought her and I have been very happy so far!!!

Took Frida for another lovely long walk and then went to the what is now usual Wednesday afternoon poker at Ray’s house...

On a roll since we started playing again...this afternoon another 150 pesos into the piggy bank!!

The rain is coming down as I write this so I hope we do not have to cancel tennis tomorrow morning....

Stay safe and healthy!!

Yashi Kochi!!

Tuesday 22 Nd June 2021.......technology!!

I do admit I do not understand very much about my phone, IPad or laptop so I was surprised this morning when these photos showed up on my phone this morning...

This was taken on the west coast of Vancouver Island and I put the date at around the late 1992.....My Mum and I and I do remember this photo because about fifteen minutes later one of the few double rainbows that I have seen appeared!

this next one that come up this morning is of my Dad and I and this one must have been taken around the late 1980’s.....

Can you believe the hair??

These also appeared on my phone and I like them all...

And I think this is very funny!!

Stay safe and healthy!!

Yashi Kochi!!